whats the differance between and independant rear suspension and a solid axle?
Independant suspension is what is sounds like, each wheel acts independantly of the each other where a solid axle is just one solid piece so what ever effects one wheel will effect the other. Independant is not better then solid, it depends what you are looking for in your vehical. Independant is better for comfort but solid is better for straight line speed. If you have the two exact same cars with the exact same driver, the solid axle will be faster in a 1/4 mile run. Also, if you dont brace your halfshafts on your independant suspension and you have a high hp car you can break them with wheel hop. As with solid axles, it is near impossible to break them due to wheel hop unless it is a weak solid axle but ford mustangs for instance have a 8.8 solid and the 8.8 is pretty much bullet proof. Of course, the 2001-2004 cobras have independant rear suspension but they are the only mustangs that i know of that have ever been made with an independant rear.
an independent suspension has usually coil springs on each side and flex on their own as the car bounces. the solid axle doesn't flex much, and usualy has leaf springs for support. a solid axle is 100% stronger than an independant suspension, usually trucks use a solid axle, but today as people was a utility vehicle to ride smooth, they incorporate an independant suspension so you get a good ride, now load that independant suspension with 1000 pounds of rock. you'll be very upset with the ride, but not with a solid axle.
As every body above stated the independent rear is basically two drive shafts coming from a center differential with each axle independently suspended.A solid axle is basically a center differential with a solid tube on both sides that the axles turn in with leaf springs or coils on each side.Since I prefer a car that handles as well as accelerates for everyday driving I prefer the independent suspension.For a work truck the solid axle is the way to go as it can handle more weight.
